Office of the Vice-Chancellor – University of New England, Armidale NSW

Shape the Future of a University Through AI-Driven Transition

Strategic People-focused Architect Meets Transition Champion

Rare Opportunity for Experienced Values-driven Leader

• Fixed term up to 3 years; 2 years full-time plus 1 year part-time
• Executive Contract
• Salary packaging options are available
• Armidale based role.
• Free on campus parking
• Relocation assistance provided
• Applicants must have appropriate Australian work rights for the duration of this position (UNE will not provide sponsorship for this position)

For 70 years, the University of New England has defied convention—bringing world-class education and research to regional Australia and beyond. Now, we're ready to be bold again.

Our ambitious Strategic Plan sets a new vision: connecting individual aspirations to community outcomes. Vision alone isn't enough. We need someone exceptional to build a new organisational engine – our Operating Model.

This is your opportunity to fundamentally redesign how a pioneering Australian university operates—creating systems that are truly centred on our people and learners and are simpler and smarter. If you have successfully led the transition of a complex organization and you are ready for your most meaningful challenge yet, we want to hear from you.

The Role

Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor, this newly established role will design, build and implement UNE's new Operating Model, with Artificial Intelligence as a step-change focus. Led by the people of UNE, you will reimagine UNE's systems, processes and supporting structures. The role combines expertise in strategic planning, enterprise systems thinking and a strong track record of delivery. The Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Transition) will serve as the high-level orchestrator of UNE's new Operating Model, with the role of influencing a fundamentally rewiring of how we work and deliver services across the University.

We are looking for a collaborative leader who can transition the status quo, is politically astute, an evidenced based decision maker with well-developed understanding of people and change. You will work collaboratively and closely with each member of the UNE Executive Team who will be responsible for implementation in their areas of responsibility and who will link with other Executives to ensure cross-unit connectivity is optimised.

The ideal candidate is someone who has the emotional intelligence to ensure that our people define our successful journey, understands how a complex organization resists new ways of operating, and has the courage to navigate entrenched ways of working. This role requires someone who can straddle the strategic altitude (knowing the right directions for the overall delivery of a new Operating Model) and tactical depth (ensuring evolution is the basis of implementation whilst maintaining a rapid pace of change) and designing outcome measures then tracking and communicating them over a 3-year timeframe.

You will:

· Champion UNE Values (be kind, be bold, be accountable, be connected) while building strong internal and external networks, facilitating cross-unit collaboration, and creating genuine co-ownership of the transition to a new Operating Model through comprehensive engagement with the university community

· Lead the design of an innovative evolutionary process and develop and document it, so that the people of UNE can participate with confidence in their role and outcomes. Our transition will be incremental and based upon the willingness of our people to move rapidly into new ways of operating and collaborating. No conventional linear "design and implement" end-to-end process is likely to be successful in our environment.

· Map interdependencies across academic, operational and digital ecosystems to identify leverage points, anticipate impacts, and ensure initiatives are scalable, integrated and avoid duplication.

· Identify and manage risks arising from Operating Model implementation, while monitoring global trends in higher education and technology to produce high-quality strategic papers and recommendations for Executive and the UNE Council.

About the University of New England

The University of New England (UNE) is a regionally based, globally networked university renowned for the quality of its student experience and the excellence of its research specialisations. In addition, UNE pioneered teaching to external students making it the most experienced provider of innovative distance and local/on-campus education.

You will embody the UNE values and strive to be Kind, Bold, Accountable and Connected. You will be committed to achieving the goals embedded in the Strategic Plan UNE emphasises its people, staff and students' growth and development. We aspire to be a leader in innovation and change and a centre for the Armidale and the North-West communities.

Equity, diversity and inclusion are central to the core values of UNE, and we are committed to engaging, supporting and growing a diverse workforce. From the Oorala Aboriginal Centre at the heart of our campus, to the inclusive organisations such as the UNE Ally Network, the UNE Women's Society, and the many international cultural groups - all will feel valued and respected at UNE.

About Armidale

Nestled in New England's high country, Armidale offers a rare combination of regional city energy and peaceful rural lifestyle. With its thriving food scene, boutique retailers, excellent schools and recreation facilities, you'll find everything you need for a quality lifestyle. The city's stunning natural surrounds—featuring dramatic gorges, waterfalls and national parks—combined with four distinct seasons, create an environment where both your career and lifestyle can flourish. Discover more at

Enquiries and additional information

We have engaged the services of Hendrick and Struggles for this important role.  For a confidential discussion, please contact Janelle Entwistle, Partner, Education and Social Impact Practice via email

Closing Date: Midnight, 14 January 2026

Reference No:

For further information about this position, please see the Position Statement available on the website below.

Please visit Executive Recruitment - University of New England (UNE)for further information about this position

To Apply

Please submit the following documents by email to Janelle Entwistle via

Your application should be comprised of:

· Current CV

· Cover letter addressing your suitability for this role (based on key functions/details in the position statement), how you demonstrate the UNE Values, your thoughts on centering AI in the Operating Model and how you approach collaboration (people first approaches):

o    Be Bold – Try big things together

o    Be Kind – Act with care and courage

o    Be Accountable – Own your impact

o    Be Connected – Build bridges to expand possibilities

UNE Commitment to Inclusion and Diversity

UNE is committed to building a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australians, people with disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, mature age workers and LGBTQIA+ people.

About the Process

UNE is committed to employing individuals who meet the requirements of this role and align with our values. All applicants will be contacted and advised of an outcome. The successful candidate will be required to undertake pre-employment checks prior to commencing in this role as indicated in the position statement. Please visit the UNE Privacy Statement to understand how your information is collected, stored, accessed and used.

National Police Check

If you are the successful candidate for this role you will be required to provide UNE with a National Police Check prior to your commencement. Please note that people with criminal records are NOT automatically barred from applying for this position (unless there is a particular requirement under law).